Long Branch unveils new health center, park at old Ronald McDonald House
LONG BRANCH - The city will look to build a "fun" and "unique" space with the four-acre property that includes the former Ronald McDonald House, all of which was donated to the city by Monmouth Medical Center three years ago.
The city unveiled its plan Wednesday to turn the property, which sits on Bath Avenue, into a new Health, Wellness and Technology Center, along with creating of a new 2-acre park, which will be among the biggest in the city.
The Ronald McDonald House will be renovated and the lower level will essentially become a fitness center for physical activities, such as treadmills and fitness equipment, as well as yoga and dance. The second or main floor focuses on nutrition, with a commercial-sized kitchen where the city plans to hold cooking classes in addition to dietary education programs.
The third floor includes offices for health and wellness services that will be provided by the city and other civic or nonprofit organizations. The third floor will also have a community room that will be decorated with preserved elements transferred from the former mansion that was most recently used as a Ronald McDonald House.
Historical preservation is another of the city's goals for the property. The architecture will give a nod to the city's historic or older properties and will have a large porch, grand staircase and decorative tower. The community room will include a Gilded Age parlor room with a fireplace and paneling.
The city has taken steps to preserve history as of late. In the past year that included a new Fire and History Museum at the old Oliver Byron Firehouse, purchasing the Art Deco Santander Bank building on Broadway to make a new Municipal Court, restoring the sanctuary of the 175-year-old First Reformed Church and preserving a Coca-Cola sign found on lower Broadway building that dates back to the early 1900s.
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The city will look to bridge the digital divide with the Technology Center, which will take up two floors and house computers and workspaces where residents can come to seek employment and educational opportunities.
To clear the way for the park, the city will demolish a row of old, vacant apartments that were once used to house visiting doctors and nurses. The park layout will consist of walking trails, playgrounds, pickleball courts, a concession stand restrooms.
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"Our goal here is to make a health, wellness and technology complex that will provide all sorts of resources for residents, but also just a fun spot to be,” Mayor John Pallone said.
RJWBarnabas Health, which owns Monmouth Medical Center, donated the property in 2021 as it is undergoing renovations and upgrades at its Long Branch location. At the time of the donation, city officials told the Asbury Park Press that it was easy for the hospital to donate the land than try an market it.
Meanwhile, the Ronald McDonald House services, which provide a rooming house for families with children in long-term hospital care, are now being offered across the street at the hospital.
RWJBarnabas Health and its property Monmouth Medical Center have been expanding services in Monmouth County. The health care providers opened a health family care and wellness center at Monmouth Mall in Eatontown that provides comprehensive women’s services, pediatric services, wellness education and resources, a laboratory and blood drawing station and an urgent care center.
Another facility is in the works for the 40-acre site at the former Fort Monmouth grounds in Tinton Falls, which will provide services for cancer research and treatment.
The city used $4 million in federal funds it received from the American Rescue Plan, or COVID-stimulus package, along with state grant money to complete the project. Pallone said they want to put the project out to bid in a few months and start construction shortly thereafter.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Long Branch health center, park fill old Ronald McDonald House site
